Willie Peters out to make Super League statement as Hull KR hit world stage
Willie Peters is determined to make a statement for Super League by showing the grit and work ethic that define the Hull KR community.
The Robins are in uncharted territory this week as the competition's representatives in the World Club Challenge, a clash between the champions of both hemispheres that was dominated by the NRL from 2013 to 2020.
St Helens and Wigan Warriors clawed back some respectability for Super League with shock wins over Penrith Panthers, only for Australia to claim a series whitewash against England last autumn.
Peters is ready to show the English game in the best possible light when Rovers face Brisbane Broncos at a sold-out MKM Stadium on Thursday night.
"We know the responsibility on us in this game," said the Australian.
"There's a responsibility not only to our local community in how we represent them but also a responsibility to the British game – to play a certain way and represent them in the best way.
"People talk about the NRL as the pinnacle in terms of the competition and we need to acknowledge that – but we're not that far behind.
"There's a game here and a product here that we need to get out to as many people as we can. We need a wider audience and people need to see it because it is a great brand.
"We've got an opportunity to be able to showcase that on a world stage and probably earn some respect from people that probably don't respect the British game the way it should be respected."
KR earned their shot at the NRL champions thanks to a maiden Grand Final win over Wigan last October.
The treble winners have been urged to channel the same East Hull spirit against Brisbane.
"That's what we pride ourselves on," added Peters.
"We've always said our aim is to make our community proud. How do we do that? It's through our actions, through working hard for each other and not letting your team-mate down.
"People don't get things easy in East Hull. In any game we played last year, we didn't get things easy – we had to work for it.
"Even in the Challenge Cup final and Grand Final, we had to work hard for it. That’s what we need to see this week."